Aleksi Saarela

Eric Staal's young son had an adorable reaction to his father's trade

Published Feb. 29, 2016 2:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

The trade deadline can be a confusing time for NHL players and their families, so it is no surprise that Eric Staal's 4-year-old son needed a little help understanding his father's trade from the Carolina Hurricanes to the New York Rangers.

Staal, the former captain of the Hurricanes, was dealt to the Rangers Sunday in exchange for two draft picks and Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela, and apparently Staal's son had a little trouble understanding that the entire family would be moving to New York thanks to the trade.

#NYR Eric Staal tried to explain to his 4 year old son what exactly a trade means -"I'm not leaving without YOU!" pic.twitter.com/ClGkWWEd0e
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 29, 2016

The young Staal will see some familiar faces when his father makes his debut with the Rangers; uncle Marc Staal is a defenseman for the Blueshirts.

Eric Staal spent the entirety of his 12-year NHL career thus far with the Hurricanes after Carolina selected Staal with the second overall pick of the 2003 NHL Draft. The 31-year-old has 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 63 games so far this season.

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